Tag Archives: People

I have always been fascinated with Mumbai. Though I have not been to the metropolis very many times and have not stayed for more than three days at stretch, I salute the resilience of the city inhabitants and their ability to take so many hardships in their stride. These two pictures, of the Vile Parle station, show just some aspects of that resilience and hardship and how people just cope with them and take it in their stride. The two men waiting for a train to come, the lady sleeping it off after a laborious morning at work and the gentleman apparently making some last-minute plans before his next trip are but just a few glimpses of a city that never sleeps. And the fact that THESE were the people worst hit by terrorism of the worst kind 22 years ago when a series of bomb blasts ripped the city apart send a chill down my spine. It also pains me to see politicians still bickering about the rights and the wrongs and of how capital punishment brings ‘closure’ to the victim’s families. No one, unfortunately, thinks of the nation and all that matters to them is how they can score some points. And NO ONE thinks of these poor souls for whom the only question is – where will the next meal come from?

I had only heard of animals and birds on sale in Bahrain’s Isa Town on the weekend. But what I saw yesterday was appalling – several times over! These poor creatures, in 40 degrees C plus temperatures – most of them without even water – were literally broiling in the heat. A peacock, in particular, caught my attention. It was “chained” with plastic ties and covered in a wet shirt, ostensibly to keep it “cool”. Then there were dogs, cats, kittens, puppies, several kinds of birds, even a crow and rabbits, not to mention snakes! While these poor creatures cannot speak, the looks in their moist and forlorn eyes said only one thing: “Take us away from here, deliver us from the two-legged ANIMALS!”
Wonder where the so-called animal rights activists are. And, more than that, where’s the law? The municipality? The police, the animal lovers?
To top it all, most of these creatures, I was told, are sold by the end of the day!

This is one of the most disturbing images of life in the higher reaches of northern India. Because of the terrain, the absence of traffic and population scattered across several hills, porters such as this one carry huge amounts of goods – from boxes, cooking gas cylinders, girders, carpets – and everything else – up the steep slopes. Modern technology does not seem to have reached many parts of this continent of a nation where a very large percentage of people survive – and thrive – on hard manual labour day after day. The picture was taken in British India’s summer capital, Shimla, one of the most scenic places in the country.

This elderly gentleman is as much a part of the Old Manama Suq as the Suq itself. He is at various places, always sitting alone, sometimes appearing to doze off, at times just sitting and staring at traffic and people. He is also one of the most-photographed by visitors and tourists and has even featured in some Bahrain picture postcards. I did once try to talk with him but did not succeed. He looked as if through me. Perhaps he speaks only Arabic, which I don’t, or it’s possible he just doesn’t want to talk. He’s probably carrying a million thoughts; a million memories, good and bad. He’s seen life for close to a century and seen the changes that have happened. Must make a fascinating story – if he talks!

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about.me

A journalist based in Bahrain, my obsession is the world of photography and pictures.

I started my career at one of India’s leading newspapers, The Hindustan Times, in 1983. Later, I joined the Indian Express prior to a foray into the Gulf, in 1996. In Bahrain, I have worked at the now defunct Bahrain Tribune and at the Gulf Daily News.

Now I work with organizations and businesses, providing media and publicity advice, including helping out with professionally written press releases, newsletters and advertorials. I also provide copy editing service and web content support.

My interest in photography dates back to the 'box' camera and 120 mm films age. Over a period of time, this became a hobby and a passion. I am working on a book of pictures to showcase my perspective of Bahrain, interesting images and unique frames.

A selection of some of those images, my thoughts and snippets on life are spread accross these pages.